200809272126 | Mugabe's reaction 'shocking' on Mbeki's exit

Mugabe's reaction 'shocking' on Mbeki's exit

Harare - The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) have expressed shock at President Robert Mugabe's reaction to his South African counterpart's resignation. Mugabe called Thabo Mbeki's resignation "devastating news". Claiming that Mugabe now felt lonely, the ZCTU, in a reference to Mugabe's refusal step down, felt Mbeki should have followed his example and "hanged on" to power.

"Instead of taking a cue from President Mbeki who, during the ANC Polokwane conference accepted defeat at the hands of Comrade (Jacob) Zuma and also heeded ANC's call to step down, President Mugabe thinks Mbeki should have hanged on despite popular dissatisfaction with his style of leadership," read a ZCTU statement.

Mugabe was quoted by Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper as saying on Wednesday: "It is the action of the South African people. Who are we to judge [them]? But it is very disturbing."

The union federation said Mbeki's action showed there were leaders who still had a conscience in Africa, and wished him well. It hoped President Kgalema Motlanthe would work towards the prosperity of the country and the continent while in office.